Concerns have emerged regarding oil and fuel spills from buses that have begun to tarnish the newly upgraded terminal tarmac of Lautoka bus station, which opened just a week ago. Shalend Singh, the head of services for Lautoka City Council (LCC), emphasized the seriousness of the situation and indicated that buses found to be leaking oil may soon face restrictions on accessing the terminal.
“The Land Transport Authority has assured us that it will address these issues by issuing defect notices,” Mr. Singh stated. He warned that non-compliant buses could be taken off the road if they do not adhere to these notices.
To tackle the problem, the council has already initiated several measures, such as awareness campaigns and distributing circulars two months prior to the station’s opening to encourage bus companies to rectify any oil leaks. Additionally, there have been meetings with bus operators and the Land Transport Authority to address these issues and request necessary repairs.
Despite the implementation of daily litter enforcement, which saw 628 fines issued in 2025—all paid—the problem remains persistent. Mr. Singh pointed out that the $40 fine has not been sufficient to motivate bus operators to maintain their vehicles properly. He noted that litter prevention officers are present at the bus station daily from 6 am to 7 pm to continue issuing fines as part of ongoing efforts to maintain cleanliness and accountability.
While the situation presents a challenge, the proactive approach taken by the council and the collaboration with the Land Transport Authority suggests a commitment to resolving the issue, ultimately leading to a cleaner and safer environment at the new bus terminal.
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